Today's News

J.C. Delk of Harriman found a piece of Roane County News history, thanks to his late half-brother, Sim Wright. Wright was a collector of sorts, Delk said. Wright’s daughter, Paula Gilmoore, kept everything and found an issue of the Roane County News from Oct. 19, 1961. It had a lead headline announcing, “Governor dedicated new bridge today; seven bands in parade,” and an ad for Harriman’s Men Shop adverting men’s suits priced up to $27.50.

“Something in this made him save it,” Delk said, “I’m just not sure what.”

Editor’s note: Several years ago, the Roane County News decided to abandon the annual practice of looking back on the top stories of the past year in favor of predicting the top stories of the coming year. We continue that tradition here.

ROANE ALLIANCE LEADERSHIP

Late last year, after a decade at the helm of The Roane Alliance, Leslie Henderson announced that she will retire this March as president and CEO.

The position is critical to the three-prong agency, which includes the tourism bureau, the industrial board and the Chamber of Commerce.

25 Years Ago
Roane County’s first baby of 1989 made his appearance at 8:55 a.m. Jan. 3. Ian Joseph Hiestand weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce, and was born in Baptist Hospital of Roane County (formerly Chamberlain Memorial Hospital), Rockwood. Parents Robert and Lisa Hiestand both worked at Chase Instruments. Grandparents of the New Year baby were Robert and Jane Lawson of Rockwood, and Tom and Marjorie Hiestand of Kingston.